Lanners were being reported around Sde Boker which is just about midway between Eilat and Tel Aviv but often trickier in the Arava.
The Thick-billed was to the South West, probably about 1.5-2miles, of the main vegetated wadi; which is on the left if you are heading north. Caution at this general location as its part of the military firing range, Noam was advising people of this during the week. Don't want to drive over something makes you go boom.
We went to HaMeisher Plains looking for Temmincks Larks there as they are meant to breed there but again no luck.
There are a lot of locations within the Arava that can provide variability. Ketura Sewage ponds close to the road near the Kibbutz; Neot Samader Sewage ponds close to the eastern end of the kibbutz was good and held Citrine Wagtail, Yotvata Sewage ponds are a favourite site of mine. Kibbutz Samar Olive Grove can be good and so on.
Bonelli's Eagles are present at En Avdat in the gorge there along with Griffon and Egyptian Vultures whilst the Dead Sea can produce the Rosefinch and Striolated Bunting, Bonelli's Eagle, Fan-tailed Raven and others needed a guide, Nubian Nightjar and the Desert Tawny Owl.
Mt. Amsa is very good with rolling green hills and scree slops whilst LaHave near Be'er Sheva is in the Judean Plain and has Spectacled Warblers, Long-billed Pipits and others and is a great place.
Urim Fields are best in winter with winter Skylark and Short-toed Lark flocks as well as speciality targets such as Saker, Eastern Imperial Eagle and Sociable Lapwing.
In the far north, Hula, Mt. Hermon and Golan Heights etc you are in the range of Rock Nuthatch, Syrian Serin, Calandra Lark, Finch's Wheatear, Sombre Tit, tens of thousands of Cranes, Black-shouldered Kites, White-tailed Eagles, Moustached Warblers, Lesser and Great Spotted and Eastern Imperial Eagles, Marbled and Fudge Ducks and so on depending on season.
Far north to the south is probably about 6-7 hours drive direct but with so much in between for birding.
Each year differs at migration times and recently Wood Warblers, Collared and Semi-collared Flycatchers have been arriving in increasing numbers.
Probably a bit of self promotion by my recent trips photos can be found here, I will get this years up and running probably in the summer once I'm back from there in May.
http://www.birdersplayground.co.uk/Overseas Photos.html
If you do go back; enjoy.